Users Manual Part 2

43
Printer Setup and Operation
Load the Ribbon
5/9/19 ZT411/ZT421 Color Touch User Guide P1106464-001
Load the Ribbon
What kind of ribbon can I use? If you are unsure which side of a particular roll of ribbon
is coated, perform an adhesive test or a ribbon scratch test to determine which side is coated.
Adhesive Test If you have labels available, perform the adhesive test to determine which
side of a ribbon is coated. This method works well for ribbon that is already installed.
To perform an adhesive test, complete these steps:
1. Peel a label from its liner.
2. Press a corner of the sticky side of the label to the outer surface of the roll of ribbon.
3. Peel the label off of the ribbon.
4. Observe the results. Did flakes or particles of ink from the ribbon adhere to the label?
Ribbon Scratch Test Perform the ribbon scratch test when labels are unavailable.
To perform a ribbon scratch test, complete these steps:
1. Unroll a short length of ribbon.
2. Place the unrolled section of ribbon on a piece of paper with the outer surface of the
ribbon in contact with the paper.
3. Scratch the inner surface of the unrolled ribbon with your fingernail.
4. Lift the ribbon from the paper.
Note • This section applies only to printers that have the Thermal Transfer option installed.
If ink from the
ribbon...
Then...
Adhered to the label The ribbon is coated on the outside and can be used
in this printer.
Did not adhere to
the label
The ribbon is coated on the inside and cannot be used
in the standard printer. An optional ribbon spindle is
available to use ribbon that is coated on the inside.
Contact your authorized Zebra reseller for ordering
information.
To verify this result, repeat the test on the other
surface of the roll of ribbon.
DRAFT